NMSU SOCCER: Aggies open WAC tourney vs. Bakersfield

LAS CRUCES — For the second straight season, the New Mexico State women’s soccer team opens Western Athletic Conference Tournament play against Bakersfield.

Aggies head coach Freddie Delgado is hoping for the same result when the No. 4 Aggies play No. 5 seed and tournament host Bakersfield on Thursday at 8 p.m., in a WAC Tournament first-round match.

“We expected some ups and downs with such a young team,” said Delgado, whose team went 5-14 overall and 4-6 in the WAC. “We talk about improving every game. We are going into the tournament knowing that the team that wins will be the team that stays mentally strong when they are pressed.”

“In the last game we played them, we played a solid game offensively and hit the post about five times,” Delgado said. “We have to make sure we take advantage of our opportunities this time around. They are a grind it out kind of team. … They kept coming at us and that is how they broke us down.”

NMSU is 2-3 all-time at the WAC Tournament. The Aggies beat Bakersfield 3-0 last year before losing 7-0 to Seattle.

The winner of Thursday’s match faces No. 1 Seattle at 8 p.m., on Friday in the semifinals.

“We have a few players who remember that game, but with so many new players, there is a totally different vibe,” Delgado said. “They are young and energetic players who are excited to be here and looking forward to getting the conference tournament started.”

Sports Editor Jason Groves can be reached at 575-541-5459. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves.